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At PMAC 2026, we were honoured to join HITAP, Wateroam, and network partners to advance sustainable access to safe, clean water for rural communities. On 26 January at the Centara Grand Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Dr. Somruk Chungsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, opened the seminar, “Clean Water, Shared Futures: Strengthening Water Security, Sustainability and Equity for Rural Health amid Demographic Change.”

Discussions spanned:

– Assessing water security in rural schools and healthcare facilities
– Tackling emerging threats from microplastics and environmental pollution
– Community perspectives from remote areas, alongside insights from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)
– Lessons from collaboration in Laos and approaches for Thailand’s rural schools
– Findings from satisfaction and impact studies using Photovoice
– A new model for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of investments in water security
– Live demonstrations of innovative water filtration technologies, usage, and water quality testing

The Thai–Singaporean pilot is installing innovative water filtration systems at Mae Tuen Wittayakom School (Omkoi, Chiang Mai) and Border Patrol Police School No. 87 (Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai), with the goal of delivering sustainable, safe water access and reducing health disparities in remote areas.

As Dr. Somruk emphasized, “Clean water is the foundation of good health… Access to clean and safe water is about restoring fundamental rights and equality, ultimately reducing the burden on the Thai public health system.”

We commend HITAP, the Ministry of Public Health, Wateroam, EJF, and all partners for advancing evidence-based solutions—combining proven technology, research, cost–benefit analysis, and community feedback—to address structural challenges for the long term.

On 27 January 2026, over 40 deans and senior academic leaders from Schools of Public Health around the world gathered for the inaugural Global Convening of Deans of Global Public Health. Dean, Prof Teo Yik Ying, represented the School at this dedicated Side Meeting held at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2026.

The convening articulated a clear and collective vision: a future where Schools of Public Health are not merely institutions of traditional knowledge production, but active architects of global health resilience. This vision is grounded in the belief that academic institutions have both the credibility and the responsibility to safeguard scientific truth, promote equity, and translate evidence into policy and programmatic impact.

From discussions on academic-government partnerships, to improving access to quality public health curriculum and tackling misinformation and disinformation in health, the convening identified five emerging strategic priorities from the discussions:

Amplifying long-term thinking
Schools of Public Health need to champion evidence-based, intergenerational health priorities, even in political environments dominated by short-term considerations.

Strengthening health diplomacy
As leadership and scientific stewardship gaps widen in global health, Schools of Public Health need to engage more proactively in health diplomacy and technical partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations, and regional bodies to support coordinated action.

Embedding academic–government collaboration
Public health academia needs to work together with governments to design, implement, and evaluate health policies and programmes that are sustainable, equitable, and efficient. Schools of Public Health must play a more integrated role in leading research that is policy-relevant, timely, and responsive to national and global priorities, to drive policy advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and the co-design of national health strategies.

Improving access to quality curriculum
Expanding access to public health training through curriculum quality enhancement and institutionalised curriculum transfers as sustainable, bi-directional capacity-building models, enabling emerging Schools of Public Health in LMICs to adapt, mentor, and sustain high-quality training for future generations without reliance on external aid.

Defending scientific integrity
In an era of misinformation and disinformation, Schools of Public Health need to stand united in defending scientific integrity. This includes communicating evidence clearly, refuting falsehoods, and educating the public, even when misinformation is amplified by powerful interests. Safeguarding scientific truth is foundational to public trust and effective health policy.

The inaugural convening concluded with a shared call to action: for Schools of Public Health to rethink its mandate and responsibilities, including a new kind of leadership role in global health. One that extends beyond teaching and publications, and towards shaping how evidence informs political decisions, diplomatic engagement, and real-world practice.

By harnessing the full potential of public health academia, the global community can better safeguard health equity and scientific truth, leverage knowledge for transformative action, and accelerate progress towards improved health and wellbeing for future generations.

Special thanks to the following speakers and moderators for their invaluable contributions:

Prof Teo Yik Ying, Vice President (Global Health), National University of Singapore (NUS); concurrently Dean, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS

Dr Margaret Chan, Founding Dean, Tsinghua Vanke School of Public Health; concurrently Emeritus Director-General of World Health Organisation.

Prof Liam Smeeth, Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Prof David Bishai, Director, School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong

Dr Karla Soares-Weiser, Chief Executive Officer, Cochrane

We also thank all participants for sharing their perspectives and experiences at this convening.

On 14 January 2026 in Phnom Penh, the NUS Cambodia Program was honoured to co-convene the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) Implementation Workshop with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Calmette Hospital, under the Ministry of Health’s leadership.

His Excellency Dr Ngov Kang, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Health, opened the event and highlighted the rising incidence and mortality of cancer. He welcomed the timely dialogue at the workshop, which focused on translating the National Cancer Control Plan 2025–2030 into clear, coordinated actions for 2026–2027 — prioritising prevention, early detection, effective treatment, and strong governance.

The workshop brought together more than 100 participants from national and provincial levels, across ministries, hospitals, development partners, and civil society.

Key discussions highlighted:
🔹 Investing upstream in prevention and early detection
🔹 Strengthening health worker capacity and cancer care pathways
🔹 Building robust cancer information systems and registries
🔹 Conducting implementation, monitoring, and mid-term review in 2027

As mentioned by SSHSPH Vice Dean (Global Health) Prof Alex Cook, who gave remarks at the opening segment, we are proud to be in Cambodia for the 12th year and are committed to supporting effective, fair, and sustainable systems for cancer prevention and care. Also, a big thank you to Dr Kennedy Ng from the National Cancer Centre Singapore for presenting and sharing the experience of Singapore!

Together, we move from strategy to action — for better health outcomes and a stronger health system. 💪

The NUS Cambodia Programme, led by Assoc Prof Siyan Yi and Ms Esabelle Yam, concluded a series of high-level engagements in Phnom Penh from 19 to 21 January 2026, undertaken together with colleagues from the Health Intervention and Policy Evaluation Research (HIPER) and the Southeast Asia Regional Collaborative for Health (SEARCH).

Together with regional policymakers and practitioners from Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, China, and India, as well as global experts, the NUS team engaged with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Social Protection Council (NSPC) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance to exchange experiences on strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage.

Discussions with the Ministry of Health on 19 January 2026 focused on key priorities in Cambodia’s health system reform agenda, including health financing and budgeting, service delivery across primary, referral, and national levels of care, and the strengthening of health information and digital systems. Exchanges with senior MoH officials highlighted efforts to enhance the use of health indicators for priority setting, and advance digital initiatives such as unique health identifiers and electronic medical records to support service delivery, planning, and health technology assessment (HTA). At Calmette Hospital, discussions centred on referral pathways, emergency and intensive care capacity, payment mechanisms under social health protection schemes, and the importance of integrated financing, data use, and system-wide capacity building.

Building on these engagements, a one-day technical and policy dialogue was held on 20 January 2026, co-organised with the General Secretariat for the National Social Protection Council (GSNSPC). The dialogue brought together approximately 50 representatives from the NSPC, including senior management and technical units, to discuss the role of HTA and strategic purchasing in strengthening social health protection systems and advancing universal health coverage (UHC).

The dialogue featured regional and international perspectives, with speakers sharing country and global experiences. These included Ms Anne Julienne Genuino-Marfori (Philippines), Dr Panji F. Hadisoemarto (Indonesia), Assistant Professor Shiyi Tu (China), Dr Neha Purohit (India), and Professor Wang Hong (global experience), alongside NUS faculty including Associate Professor Alec Morton and Assistant Professor Kiesha Prem, and with the NSPC on Cambodia’s experience. Discussions focused on how HTA and strategic purchasing can be applied to improve efficiency, equity, and sustainability in health financing, in the efforts to advance UHC.

The visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and the GSNSPC. The MoU was signed by Professor Teo Yik Ying, Vice President (Global Health), National University of Singapore, and Dean, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, and His Excellency Dr Chan Narith, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Secretary General of the GSNSPC.

The MoU formalises a shared commitment to collaboration in policy-directed research and analysis, and capacity strengthening, building on prior and ongoing engagements, including the political economy of health tax reforms, as well as technical collaboration on HTA and strategic purchasing. The signing ceremony was presided over by Her Excellency Pen Sopakphea, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Chair of the Executive Committee of the NSPC, with Ms Bernice Seow, First Secretary (Political) from the Embassy of Singapore in Cambodia.

The MoU provides a platform for strengthened cooperation in research, capacity strengthening, and policy support, as Cambodia continues its journey towards UHC. Through these engagements, NUS reaffirms its commitment to supporting evidence-informed decision-making and health systems strengthening in Cambodia and the wider region.

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is a practice-oriented, leadership-focused programme designed for experienced professionals who want to shape policy, drive systemic change, and lead impactful public health initiatives across Asia and beyond.

We are delighted to celebrate NUS’s ranking as 13th globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 for Medical and Health.

The 2026 Medical and Health rankings assess universities across medicine, dentistry, nursing, and a broad range of healthcare disciplines.

At the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, we are proud to contribute to this global recognition through our research, education, and partnerships. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing public health in Singapore, across Asia, and globally.

The Poon Yue Association has partnered with the Seniors Action towards Greater Empowerment (SAGE) team and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) to launch “Living the Good Life in Chinatown”, a community initiative that celebrates ageing through culture, reflection, and intergenerational connection.

Through extensive engagement with residents, the project was shaped by nearly a year of immersion to better understand seniors’ needs beyond material support including emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

As part of the initiative, a photography workshop was organised to invite members of the public to document everyday life in Chinatown and reflect on ageing, place, and belonging. These works are now on display at the Poon Yue Association Hall, forming part of a community exhibition that preserves local stories and fosters dialogue across generations.

The Chinatown Community Museum is open to the public until 1 February, featuring weekday exhibitions and weekend programmes such as community forums, food tastings, and story-sharing sessions.

Healthier SG is transforming Singapore’s healthcare system by moving away from episodic hospital visits and anchoring care in long-term primary care relationships.

Central to this shift is the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR). Mandated under the Health Information Bill, the NEHR ensures patient information follows the individual across all care settings, which:
Strengthens continuity of care
Enhances patient safety
Drives future healthcare innovation

How can shared health records enable safer, more connected, and forward-looking care?

Hear from our Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying, as he explains why an integrated NEHR is a transformative “game changer” for Singapore’s healthcare landscape.